Unbeaten Deer Valley rolls over Freedom

ANTIOCH -- The Deer Valley High football team's defense gave up just 133 total yards as the Wolverines ran away with a 35-7 win over Freedom in its Bay Valley Athletic League opener Friday night.

Deer Valley (6-0, 1-0 BVAL) began the game a bit sluggish, being forced to punt on two of its first three possessions. The Wolverines trailed 7-6 midway through the second quarter. That's when they went to more of a spread offense.

"We knew they could not handle our speed," said Deer Valley quarterback Nsimba Webster, who accounted for five touchdowns and threw for 188 yards.

The Wolverines scored on two consecutive drives to close the first half, the last one a six-play, 54 yard drive with under a minute left. They converted on a third-and-26 when Webster connected with Mike Hamilton on a 26-yard pass.

Webster hit Hamilton with a 15-yard TD pass two plays later, the second of three he threw in the game.

Webster also ran for two scores and had 139 rushing yards.

"(The win) means we're one step closer to our goal of 10-0," he said.

Hamilton had 106 receiving yards -- all in the first half.

Heralded running back Joe Mixon led the Falcons (2-4, 0-1) with 79 yards on 14 carries.

"Our defense deserves a lot of credit," Webster said. "We heard a lot this week 'What about Joe? But they were able to lock him up."